Lightning-arrester for telephones.



L H. PIERSON & H. C. WILLITZ.

LIGHTNING ARRESTEB FOR TELEPHONES. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 8. 1916.

1 ,222,461 Patented Apr. 10, 1917.

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LIGHTNING-ARRESTED. FOR TELEPHONES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 10, 1917.

Application filed June 8, 1916. Serial No. 102,558.

To all whom'it may concern: 7

Be it known that we, LEE'H. PIERSON and HERMAN C. WILLITZ, citizens of the United States of America, residing at J anesville, in the county of Rock and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lightning-Arresters for Telephones, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This inventionrelates to a lightning arrester for telephones, and has for its principal object the production of a simple and efficient device which is constructed so as to be connected to a telephone and to the main line in such a manner that i'n case lightning strikes the mainline wires it will be directed by the arrester into the ground.

Another object of this invention is the production-of a lightning arrester wherein a ground circuit 'is provided in connection with the telephone circuit so that in case of a storm the switch of the telephone circuit may be swung so as to break the telephone circuit, whereby in. case lightning strikes the main line it will pass therethrough and also over the lightning arrester into the ground. I

Another object of this invention is the production of a ground carbon positively carried in spaced relation with respect to the line carbons, whereby when the arrester is in use the ordinary low voltage of the telephone circuit will not jump this space and as a consequence, the telephone will operate efliciently, although when an excessive charge of. electricity passes over the main line it will jump the space between the ground carbon and the line carbons and thus pass into the ground.

A still further object of this invention is the production of a lightning arrester. for telephones wherein the device is provided with a pocket so constructed as to efficiently receive the line carbons and the ,ground carbon for positivelyholding the same in their correct positions in connection with the switch so as to allow the device to be in condition to operate efliciently at all times.

With these and other objects in view this invention consists of certain novel combinations, constructions, and arrangements of parts as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the lightning arrester as constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a section taken on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the base, the switch, spring arm, and ground carbon being removed to illustrate the manner in which the line carbons are carried within the pocket of the base.

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the base, the operating elements in connection therewith being removed.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the device, a

portion of the handle of the switch being broken away.

I Referring to the accompanying drawing by numerals it will be seen that the lightning arrester for telephones comprises a base, the construction of which is most clearly disclosed in Figs. 5 and 6. The base 1 as shown herein is preferably rectangular in top plan, although, of course, it may be constructed so as 'to present any suitable shape. This base 1 is provided-with a comparatively deepened pocket 2 formed in its central portion, while an overhanging ledge 3 is formed upon threesides of this pocket 2 at a distance from the outer front surface of the body of the base 1. It will further be noted that this, base 1 is provided with a slanting wall 4 formed thereon extending from its outer surface as shown in Fig. 5 to a point adj acent the inner portions 01' the pocket 2. The carbons 5 which are to be connected to the telephone line and known hereinafter 'as line carbons are elongated, as shown in Fig. 4 and are positioned within the pocket 2 so as to extend longitudinally thereof. It is, of course, obvious that the base 1 is to be made of any suitable material provided, of course, the same is of an insulating or nonconductive substance. These line carbons 5 are held in position by means of the bolts 6 passing therethrough and also through the base 1, as shown in Fig. 3. As these line carbons 5 are comparatively narrow and are carried in the pocket 2 it will be seen that the same will be retained in spaced relation by means of the bolts 6. It should further be noted that these line carbons 5 are of such a thickness as to be within the plane of the ledge 3 for purposes to be hereinafter set forth. The inner endsof the bolts 6 have washers 7 fitting over the conductor wires 8 held in engagement therewith by means of the nuts 9. These conductor wires 8 are in turn connected to the screws 10 which pass upwardly to be connected to the switch grips 11 secured to the ordinary binding posts 12.

The ordinary knife switch 13 is connected to the supporting grips 14 secured to the binding posts 15 and being connected to the telephone. It should be noted that the binding posts 12 are adapted to be connected to the telephone line from the outside.

When the telephone is in use it is obvious that the switch will be closed, as shown in Fig. 1, so as to form a circuit over the outside telephone line to the telephone through the binding posts 12 and switch 13 to the binding posts 15. It is obvious that Figs. 1 and 4 are shown in an inverted position in order to more readily illustrate their construction although the lightning arrester is adapted to be carried with the switch ex tending upwardly when in a closed position when the same is in use.

The block 16 constituing the round carbon is of such a size as to entireTy cover the pocket 2 formed in the base 1 and to rest upon the ledge 3. Since this ledge 3 is countersunk with respect to the surface of the base 1 it will be seen that when the ground carbon rests thereon it will be held against side displacement in either direction. Furthermore, owingto. the fact that the line carbons are of such a thickness as to terminate short of the ledge 3 there will be a space between the line carbons 5 and the carbon 16 which is adapted to'be connected to the ground and to be known hereinafter as the ground carbon at all times, as shown most clearly in Figs. 2 and 3. In order to hold this ground carbon 16 against accidental displacement there is provided a spring arm 17 fitting upon the ground carbon 16 extending almost throughout the entire length of this ground carbon. This arm 17 is bent inwardly as shown at 18 adjacent one end so as to provide an ofiset lip 19 which fits upon the base 1.- The binding post 20 passes through this lip 19 for fixedly securing the spring arm 17 upon the post. A wire is to be connected to this binding post 20 and connected to the ground carbon for forming a circuit in connection therewith.

It will be seen that during a storm the switch. 13 is swung so as to release the binding contact 11 thus breaking the telephone circuit, as is obvious. Accordingly, in case of a very heavy or excessive electric current passing over the outside telephone line and the lightning arrester the current will pass through the binding post 12 over the conductor wires 8, through the bolts 6, and then to the line carbons 5. The excessive amount of electricity will cause electricity to jump the space between the line carbons 5 and the ground carbon 16 so that the excessive electricity will pass over the ground carbon 16,

the spring arm 17 to the binding post 20, w,

the plane of the ledge 3. As a consequence,

when the ground carbon 16 is in position upon this ledge 3 considerable space will remain between one end of the ground carbon 16 and the slanting wall 4. As the slanting wall 4; terminates at a point adjacent the outer surface of the line carbons 5 it will be seen that sufficient space is provided for the natural discharge of crumbling carbon which in the course of time will take place because of the passage of excessive electricity over the line and ground carbons. It is well known that lightning arresters now in use have the carbons spaced apart by sheets of mica or like insulating material but because of the thinness of these sheets in a comparatively short time the heat of the excessive electricity passing over the same will cause the carbons to crumble and fill the space between these insulating sheets, thus causing short-circuiting at all times. By the employment of this device, however, this space is provided simply by'the formation of the base without necessitating the employment of secondary spacing means, while the provision of the slanting wall 4 formed at one end of the pocket provides space for the automatic and natural discharge of crumbled carbon from within the pocket, thus insuring an unobstructed space between the line carbons and the ground carbon at all times.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that a very simplified lightning arrester has been provided which is so formed as to allow the telephone circuit to pass thereover unbroken as long as the switch is in a closed mounting of the carbons the lightning ar-' rester will be in condition to operate effi ciently at all times Without danger of short circuiting or becoming out of order.

What is claimed is V 1. In a lightning arrester of the class described, the combination of a base, said base being provided with a comparatively deep pocket, said base being further provided with a countersunk ledge formed at a distance from the outer surface of said base last-mentioned carbon will be held against, side displacement, said last mentioned car-.

bon being adapted to be connected to the ground, means for removably holding'said ground carbon in position upon said ledge, said switch means being adapted to open and close a circuit, said last-mentioned carbon being adapted to receive excessive electricity from said first-mentioned carbons for causing the excessive electricity to be discharged into the ground.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of a base having a deepened pocket formed therein, said base being further provided with a ledge formed at a dis tance from the surface of said base, carbons fixedly carried within said pocket in spaced relation, said carbons being adapted to be connected to a main line or circuit, said carbons terminating at a distance from said ledge, a carbon positioned upon said ledge, a spring arm carried by said base and bearing upon said last-mentioned carbon for removably holding the same upon said ledge, whereby said spring arm will hold said lastmentioned carbon from falling and said base will hold the last mentioned carbon from side displacement, said ground carbon being spaced from said first-mentioned carbons, a switch means carried upon said base and being connected to said first-mentioned carbons, a ground circuit means connected to said spring arm, whereby when excessive electricity passes over the device the excessive charge will pass over said first-mentioned carbons and will jump the space between said first-mentioned carbons and said last mentioned carbon passing over said last mentioned carbon to said spring arm into said last-mentioned means to be directed 1 into the ground.

relation, said carbons terminating at a distance from said ledge, a carbon positioned upon said ledge, a spring arm carried by said base and bearing upon said last-mew tioned carbon for removably holding the same u on said ledge, whereby said spring arm Wlll hold said last-mentioned carbon from falling and said base will hold the lastmentioned carbon from side displacement, said ground carbon being spaced from said first-mentioned carbons, a switch means carried upon said base and being connected to said line carbons, a ground circuit means connected to said spring arm, whereby when an excessive charge of electricity passes over the device the excessive charge will pass over said first-mentioned carbons and will jump the space between said first-mentioned carbons and said last-mentioned carbon passing over said ground carbon to said spring arm into said last-mentioned means to be directed into the ground,'and means for facilitating the discharge of crumbled or burnt carbon from within said pocket thereby insuring an unobstructed space between said first-mentioned carbons and said last-men tioned carbon at all times.

4:. In a device of the class described, the combination of a base having a deepened pocket formed therein, said b as being further provided with a ledge formed at a distance from the surface of said base, carbons fixedly carried within said ocket in spaced relation, said carbons terminating at a distance from said ledge, a carbon positioned upon said ledge, a spring arm carried by said base and bearing upon said last-mentioned carbon for removably holding the same upon said ledge, whereby said spring arm will hold said last-mentioned carbon from falling and said base will hold the last mentioned carbon from side displacement, said ground carbon being spaced from said first-mentioned carbons, a switch means carried upon said base and being connected to said first-mentioned carbons, a ground circuit means connected to said spring arm, whereby when an excessive charge of electricity passes over the device the excessive charge will pass over said first-mentioned carbons and said last-mentioned carbon passing over said last-mentioned carbon to'said spring arm into said last-mentioned means to be directed into the ground, said base being provided with a slanting Wall extending rom the outer surface thereof to a point ad acent the inner portions of said pocket, whereby a space will be provided between said slanting Wall and said last-mentioned carbon, thereb allowing the burnt or crumbled carbon within said pocket to be passed along the slanting wall and be discharged,

.thus insuring at all times a space between said first-mentioned carbons and said lastmentioned carbon.

- cessive charge of electricity passing over said first-mentioned carbons will jump the space between said first-mentioned carbons and said last-mentioned carbon so as to pass over said last-mentioned carbon and be direc'ted'into the ground.

6. In a lightning arrester of the class described, the combination of a base, said base having a comparatively deep pocket, said base also having a countersunk ledge formed at a distance from its outer surface and also spaced from the inner surface of said pocket, carbons carried within said pocket, said carbons being adapted to be connected to a main line or circuit, a carbon resting upon said ledge, means for removably retaining said last-mentioned carbon upon said ledge, whereby said last-mentioned carbon may be removed when access to the interior of said pocket is desired, said last-mentioned carbon being spaced from said first-mentioned carbons, said last-mentioned carbon being adapted to be connected to the ground, whereby an excessive charge of electricity paming over said first-mentioned carbons will jump the space between said first-1nentioned carbons and said last-mentioned carbon so as to pass over said last-mentioned carbons carried within said pocket, said carbons being adapted to be connected to a main line or circuit, a carbon resting upon said ledge, a spring arm carried by said-base and bearing upon said last-mentioned carbon, thereby removahly retaining said last-mentioned carbon upon said ledge, whereby when access is desired to said pocket said last-mentioned carbon may be removed, said last-mentioned carbon being spaced from said first-mentioned carbons, said last-mentioned carbon being adapted to be connected to the ground, whereby an excessive charge of electricity passing over said first-mentioned carbons will jump the space between said first-mentioned carbons and said lastmentioned carbon so as to pass over said last mentioned carbon and'be directed into 'theground.

lightning arrester of the class de- 8. In a scribed, the combination of a base, said base having a comparatively deep pocket, said base also having a countersunkledge formed at a distance from itsoutersurface and also spaced from the inner surface of said pocket,

carbons carried within said pocket,said carbons being adapted to be'connected to a main line or circuit, a carbon resting upon said ledge, means for removably retaining said the removal of burnt or crumbled carbon from said pocket, thereby causing an unobstructed space between said first-mentioned carbons and said last-mentioned carbon at all times.

-9. In a lightning arrester of the class described, the combination of a base, said base having a comparatively deep pocket, said base also having a countersunk ledge formed at a distance from its outer. surface and also spaced from the inner surface of said pocket, carbons carried within said pocket, said carbons being adapted to be connected to a main line or circuit, a carbon carried upon said ledge, a spring arm carried by said base and bearing upon said last-mentioned carbon, thereby removably retaining said lastmentioned carbon upon said ledge, whereby a when access is desired to said pocket said last-mentioned carbon may be removed, said 7 last-mentioned carbon being adapted to be connected to the ground, whereby an excessive charge of electricity passing over said first-mentioned carbons will jump the space between said first-mentioned carbons and said last-mentioned carbon so as to pass over said last-mentioned carbon and be directed into the ground, and means formed upon said base for facilitating the removal of burnt or crumbled carbon from said pocket, thereby causing an unobstructed space be-v tween said first-mentioned carbons and said last-mentioned carbon at all times.

10. In a lightning arrester of the class described, the combination of a base, said base having a comparatively deep pocket, said basev also having a countersunk ledge formed 'at a distance from its outer surface and also spaced from the inner surface of said pocket carbons carried within said pocket, said carbons being adapted to be connected to a main line or circuit, a carbon resting upon said ledge, said last-mentioned carbon being spaced from said first-mentioned carbons, said last-mentioned carbon being adapted to be connected to the ground, whereby an excessive charge of electricity passing over said first-mentioned carbons Wlll jump the space between said first-mentioned carbons and said last-mentioned carbon so as to pass over said last-mentioned carbon and be directed into the ground, and means formed upon said base for facilitating the removal of burnt or crumbled carbon from said pocket, thereby causing an unobstructed space between said first-mentioned carbons I and said last-mentioned carbon at all times.

1 1. In a lightning arrester of the class descrlbed, the combination of a base, said base having a comparatively deep pocket, said .base also having a countersunk ledge formed at a distance from its outer surface and also spaced from the inner surface of said pocket, carbons carried within said pocket, said carbons being adapted to be connected to a main line or circuit, a carbon resting upon said ledge, said last-mentioned carbon being spaced from said first-mentioned carbons, whereby an excessive charge of electricity passing over said first-mentioned carbons will jump the space between said first-mentioned carbons and said last-mentioned carbon so as to pass over said last mentioned carbon and be directed into the ground, said base being provided with a slanting wall extending from the outer surface thereof to a point adjacent the inner portions of said pocket, whereby space will be provided between said slanting wall and said last-mentioned carbon thereby allowing burnt or crumbled car on within said pocket to pass along said slanting wall and be discharged, thus insuring an unobstructed space between said first-mentioned carbons and said last-mentioned carbon.

12. In a lightning arrester of the class described, the combination of a base, said base having a comparatively deep pocket, said base also having a countersunk ledge formed at a distance from its outer surface and also spaced from the inner surface of said pocket, carbons carried within said pocket, said carbons being adapted to be connected to a main line or circuit, a carbon resting upon said ledge, means for removably retaining said last-mentioned carbon upon face thereof to a point adjacent the inner portions of said pocket, whereby space will be provided between said slanting wall and said last-mentioned carbon, thereby allowing burnt or crumbled carbon within said pocket to pass along said slanting wall and be discharged, thus insuring an unobstructed space between said first-mentioned carbons and said last-mentioned carbon 13. In a lightning arrester of the class described, the combination of a base, said base having a comparatively deep pocket,

said base also having a countersunk ledge formed at a distance from its outer surface and also spaced from the inner surface of said pocket, carbons carried within said pocket, said carbons being adapted to be connected to a main line or circuit, a carbon resting upon said ledge, a spring arm carried by said base and bearing upon said last-mentioned carbon, thereby removably retaining said last-mentioned carbon upon said ledge, whereby when access is desired to said pocket said last-mentioned carbon may be removed. said last-mentioned carbon being adapted to be connected to the ground, whereby an excessive charge of electricity passing over said first-mentioned carbons will jump the space between said first-men tioned carbons and said last-mentioned carbon so as to pass over said last-mentioned carbon and be directed into the ground, and

means formed upon said base for facilitating the removal of burnt or crumbled carbon from said pocket, thereby causing an unobstructed space between said first-mentioned carbons and said last-mentioned carbon at all times.

In testimony whereof we hereunto afix bur signatures.

LEE H. PIERSON. HERMAN C, WILLITZ. 

